The read
Critics rate it 20 points higher than audiences do. Scores higher than 95% of the 679 1950s drama movies in this catalog.
Synopsis
New York City newspaper writer J.J. Hunsecker holds considerable sway over public opinion with his Broadway column, but one thing that he can't control is his younger sister, Susan, who is in a relationship with aspiring jazz guitarist Steve Dallas. Hunsecker strongly disapproves of the romance and recruits publicist Sidney Falco to find a way to split the couple, no matter how ruthless the method.
Ratings
IMDb8/10
Rotten Tomatoes98%
Metacritic100/100
Critics rate it 20 points higher than audiences do.
605 audience votes
Key crew
- Clifford OdetsScreenplay
- Alexander MackendrickDirector
- Ernest LehmanScreenplay
- Elmer BernsteinOriginal Music Composer
Cast
- Burt LancasterJ.J. Hunsecker
- Tony CurtisSidney Falco
- Susan HarrisonSusan Hunsecker
- Martin MilnerSteve Dallas
- Jeff DonnellSally
- Sam LeveneFrank D' Angelo
- Joe FriscoHerbie Temple
- Barbara NicholsRita
- Emile MeyerLt. Harry Kello
- Edith AtwaterMary
- Chico HamiltonThe Chico Hamilton Quintet
- Paul HornThe Chico Hamilton Quintet
Stills
Movies like Sweet Smell of Success
Themes
media tycoonnew york citynewspapersibling relationshipjazz singer or musicianfilm noirblack and whitegossip columnist
The Best Movies of the 1950s
Sweet Smell of Success is #17 of 60
